Data areas in GSAM databases

Generalized Sequential Access Method (GSAM) databases are available only to application programs that can run as batch programs, batch-oriented BMPs, transaction-oriented BMPS, or JBPs. The program communication block (PCB) mask and the record search argument (RSA) that you use in a GSAM database call have special formats.

GSAM DB PCB masks are slightly different from other DB PCB masks. The fields that are different are the length of the key feedback area and the key feedback area. Also, an additional field exists that gives the length of the record being retrieved or inserted when using undefined-length records.

The RSA is an 8-byte token for basic format data sets or 12-byte token for large format data sets that can be returned on GN and ISRT calls. The application program can save the RSA for use in a subsequent GU call.